A CHURCH which started out in a classroom now holds two services each Sunday to cope with growing demand.

Over 17 years, The Potter's House, in Birches Head, has blossomed from 25 people meeting in a school to regularly filling 90 per cent of its 300-seat auditorium.

For the first time yesterday, the church held two morning services. The first, at 9.30am, attracted 103 people, while the second, at 11.15am, drew 181.

The double dose will now be a weekly feature, with organisers hoping that more people will be drawn in by the use of 21st century methods of worship.

Senior pastor Phil Barber said: "It is about the music, visual presentation and the welcome and is so that we can present the message in a way that people understand."

Mr Barber said statistics showed that around 60 per cent of people in this country believe in God.

The Potter's House does not have an organist or hymns, instead relying on bands performing modern music and visual displays to the congregation. It has a wide range of activities available throughout the week, from creches and youth groups, to prayer groups, preaching academies and drama and dance groups.

The church has grown steadily over the past 17 years to a base of around 400 worshippers from a total community roll of more than 500.

And the vision became a reality five years later with the creation of the innovative church-community-business initiative which is now the Bridge Centre. The building, in Birches Head Road, is run by the Bridge Centre Trust and offers conferencing facilities and 31 business units – most of which are taken by charities and people working in the creative and design industries.

Mr Barber said: "We have created a vibrant atmosphere and, if you talk to the business people, they will say they love being in the building because there are people about and children and life."

Associate pastor Paul Nixon said that part of the church's success was due to its policy of placing an emphasis on the healthy number of younger congregation members – and using language that young people can relate to.

He added: "That is something that the church has invested its time and effort in – developing youth work.

"It has proved to be popular with families and has shown young people that the church is vibrant and interested in them and their thoughts and opinions."

He added: "It is not a church that thinks it has everything worked out and is certainly not one to rest on its laurels and that we have got everything right."

Brian Barber, a member of the church leadership, said that the church was founded on serving the community.

And he added: "We want people to be able to understand it, because people don't understand theological language and it needs to be put into language they can understand."

Comments

I visited this church for the first time this sunday and had to ask myself the question, "how have i not found this place before?". it is an amazing place with amazing people and a great atmosphere, and above all else a place where you can go to worship God and 'let yourself go'.
Why not check it out for yourself? its nothing like the stereotypical picture that springs to mind when you think of church - its actually the complete opposite!

I have been going to the Potter's House for just over two years now. Two things stand out for me, from day one I was made to feel so very welcome that it felt like home and the people felt like family, Secondly, I have been supported in all areas of my life, from work to church, in all aspects of daily living I have been encouraged and supported. The best church in Stoke? I don't think that is the issue. It is the fantastic and amazing God we all follow. He just happens to be found at the Potter's House too.

We as a family go to this church, it a great place for families, to meet up with friends and to feel supported as parents. It is good to have that reassurance that my children are getting to know about God that changes lives in a positive vibrant atmosphere, they love church too.

I go to Bethel City Church in Abbey Hulton.Great to see positive publicity about church. Great venues provide an opportunity for the good news of Gods love to be heard. My work place has held a few conferences at the Bridge Centre and we have all been impressed by the venue. Well Done.

I attend this church with my wife and three teenage daughters. All I can say is, if the word 'church' conjures up stale images of a cold hall with half-empty pews and mournful dirges, then you haven't been to a 21st century church. Come and check out the meaning of life.

Congratulation to your decision to step up to another level. We can't have too many churches, who preach the Good News in a 21st Century style.
Lets encourage the people of Stoke on Trent by loving them with all our hearts and mind like Jesus would do. Be blessed. Jesus is.........